Rakkar villagers continue protest, seek attackers’ arrest

Our Correspondent

Palampur, September 1

Residents of Rakkar continued their dharna in protest against the failure of the police to arrest those who attacked villagers on Thursday night.

The villagers had launched a campaign against illegal mining in the Beas and other rivulets, causing loss to the state exchequer.

Though the police have registered two FIRs against the persons involved in the incident at the Rakkar police station, no arrests have been made so far.

Demanding their immediate arrest, the villagers said they were receiving threats from the attackers.

They met the SHO in this regard, but did not get a satisfactory reply. The villagers said they would continue their dharna till illegal mining was not stopped in the Beas and other rivulets of the Rakkar area.

They have already apprised the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Kangra, of the issue. Both officials assured them of curbing the illegal activity. Jwalamukhi DSP Tilak Raj said a probe was on and statements of all accused were recorded.

He said SP Vimukt Ranjan had asked the Revenue, Forest, Police and Mining Departments for joint inspection of various areas so that demarcation could be done to establish as to whom the land belonged where illegal mining was being carried out.

After demarcation, stringent action would be taken and no one would be allowed to extract mining material from the Beas and its tributaries in Rakkar. The police would also implement the orders of the NGT and not hesitate in imposing heavy penalties for stealing government property.